DurhamSchool

More than 24,000 students are affected by a secondary school teachers strike.

Thousand of students will be impacted by job action at the Durham District School Board.  More than 24-thousand high school students will be out of class, as over 2000 secondary school teachers are walking the picket line over contract demands.  The strike action ONLY affects secondary schools.  Elementary schools are not affected by the strike.

A statement from the Durham District School Board can be found below:

“The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) has notified us that their members—secondary teachers and secondary occasional teachers—will be on strike effective April 20, 2015. Our concern is the safety of our students and we want you to clearly understand the status of our schools during any strike action.

 

Since we cannot ensure the safety of students during a secondary teachers’ strike, we have no choice but to close all Durham Districts School Board secondary schools to students as of April 20, 2015. Please do not send your teen to school during the strike. Please know that students’ mid-term marks have been submitted in time for post-secondary applications.
As of April 20, 2015:
·         All regular instructional programs for grade 9 to 12 students are cancelled.
·         Extracurricular activities, field trips and school events are cancelled.
·         Buses for secondary students will not operate. Buses will continue their routes for elementary students only. All DDSB elementary schools and the Education Centre remain open.
·         Teachers may be picketing outside Durham secondary schools and the Education Centre. Picketing is not expected to take place outside Durham elementary schools.
·         Community use of schools permits will continue at all DDSB schools and the Education Centre.
·         Parents of students with special needs who have community-based case coordination are encouraged to contact their coordinator or agency to inquire about supports similar to March break or summer holidays.
·         Parents / guardians using daycare services located in DDSB secondary schools are asked to contact their provider regarding arrangements for dropping off and picking up children in the event of picket lines.
·         Students can continue to participate in community volunteer hours provided the activity meets the established criteria and is pre-approved by the school administration.
 
We share the disappointment of our students and their families that an agreement could not be reached, however, with the structure of provincial bargaining, there is nothing we can do as a board to resolve this situation. We will keep you updated as the situation changes.”